Pictures tell lies.... and hurray for football!!

Looking down over one of the valleys

I visited a school in the most beautiful location on earth. 


It is in the northernmost sector of my district and very difficult to get to, even on a moto. I had to get off and walk on several occasions.


The school is a Primary school perched on top of a hill overlooking three valleys in different directions.

It is surrounded by pine trees which give welcome shade because even at this altitude the heat from the sun can be very intense. 


The air is fresh and clean, a welcome relief from the dust and dryness.


Truly a beautiful paradise?

I have some photos. 


I showed them to the headteacher when he came to Gitarama to visit me in the office. He spent a long time looking at them. He looked up and said "The pictures tell lies."


I knew exactly what he meant.


The pictures showed a beautiful scene with children playing in the shade of the trees, in the fresh mountain air - idyllic.

But the reality is a hard struggle for existence. Families are completely dependant on the land and the climate for their very means of staying alive.


To my eyes,the hills are beautiful but when you are carrying a heavy jerry can full of water up and down those hills for the survival of your family maybe the hills lose their attractiveness.


The pretty terraced hillsides are achieved by the hard physical toil of women with hoes(some men, but mainly women)working in groups, supporting each other. So when the rains come and still wash away the soil and your crops, it can be  struggle to start again. The pictures tell lies...

The little boy is quiet and still, nothing affects him, he doesn't talk, he doesn't smile, he doesn't cry, he doesn't respond at all.He stays close to the headteacher who is a kind and gentle man. 


I ask "Is he always like this? Does he ever change?Does he cry? Have you ever heard him laugh?"


"He's always like this, except when he's playing football with his friends, then he is happy!" 


So, HURRAY FOR FOOTBALL!!!


Lots of love to everyone and please keep up the comments.xxxx